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i was able to get nova extreme for 60 for my 55 so its worth looking into.

sorry korith, when i see compact flourescent i think CFL.... i thought the others were PC lights lol...

if you can get a glass hood for this then maybe look into 2 shop lights with 23W CFLs in it. im sure that will bring you to lower medium high low light.... throw a 3rd and you are closer to high i think.

KING OF THE GOLD BARBS RAWR!!!!I wonder if i plant one of my tiger barbs would the demon seed grow to a full tree?gotta love them bunnies! I.R.S.: We've got what it takes to take what you've got!

sorry korith, when i see compact flourescent i think CFL.... i thought the others were PC lights lol...IIRC PC = Power compact..
if you can get a glass hood for this then maybe look into 2 shop lights with 23W CFLs in it. im sure that will bring you to lower medium high low light.... throw a 3rd and you are closer to high i think.

You would need to replace the ballasts to do this, Shop lights run T8 bulbs.

Gas mileage isn't everythingOIIIIIIIOLack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.Why pretend there are no stupid questions? Actually, There are many stupid questions: "Should I drink this bleach?" Is just one example.
Having said that, Just because it's a stupid question doesn't mean that it shouldn't be asked. It's better to know.A warm beer is better than a cold beer. Because nothing is better than a cold beer, and a warm beer is better than nothing.

I replaced the original fixture with an Aqueon T5 Dual Lamp, each bulb is 6,700k and 18W. After the purchase I was thinking this will not be enough, so I just went out and bought an AquaticLife dual T5 HO fixture 30''. The fresh water kind that has 1 6000k and 1 650nm lamp in it. (I don't know anything about HO lamps but I explained to the guy at the LFS what I was trying to do and he said this was the best one to get).

My question is do I need to use both fixtures? They don't totally fit, and looks kind of awkward with them stacked on the top of the tank, Even with the full glass versa-top. I don't know if the new aquaticlife one will be good enough alone. And does anyone know anything about these bulbs? 650nm? Finally, anyone else use the legs on the aquaticlife fixture? I am currently not because i didnt want to add even more height to the 21'' tank than i have to. Thanks for your help in advance.

The 650nm bulb is meant to be paired with the higher ranger whites ie 10-12000k. The idea is since the plants need more blue and red lights to provide them with such. It beet to go with just dual 6500-6700k as the 10000k will give u an algea issue. Also i wouldnt use both but the single t5ho fixture would give u high light. I use legs on my light to prevent heat build up. Ur best bet is to return the 650nm for another 6700k

KING OF THE GOLD BARBS RAWR!!!!I wonder if i plant one of my tiger barbs would the demon seed grow to a full tree?gotta love them bunnies! I.R.S.: We've got what it takes to take what you've got!

For the depth of the tank, T5HO, LED, or metal halide would be the best solutions.
T8 anything isn't going to work as the tank is too deep.

Please skip the eBay light someone listed. You get what you pay for. The seller is making a profit on that price. Wiring, ballast, and sockets are least cost units. Been there,done that, rebuilt several with new parts. The reflector is metal, but it's lightly chromed over cheap steal. It will be rust in a couple of years.

Please skip power compact fixtures unless you purchase spare lamps to keep in stock. Lamps are getting hard to find in the right wattage, length, and color - at a reasonable price.

DIY LED can be perfect if you're handy. My twenty four emitter LED setup lights my 75g tank very well. It replaced a 4X 65 watt power compact fixture. Payback for not purchasing new lamps and savings in electricity was a few days over nine months.